The Best Feature on a Car Ever

The first vehicle I purchased was a two-seater Mazda B2200 pickup truck. It was a base model, with a cassette player, manual windows and locks.

It was also missing cup holders and a clock, two features I insisted on when my truck died too early.

My next vehicle was a Honda Civic SI. The entire Honda experience was disastrous and I will save my I Hate Honda rant for another blog posting. But the Civic did come with all the bells and whistles – power windows and locks, power and heated mirrors, power seats and my favorite – a sunroof.

When this car died, I bought a Pontiac Sunfire. My first four-door vehicle. This car went back to the basics – manual doors and windows, but a remote with a button to open the trunk, which I loved.

Sadly, one of the speeds on the fan didn’t work, which meant, in winter, it looked like I was in a sauna, with moisture dripping from the inside or, if I turned the fan down, ice. It had a CD player, but it didn’t work.

When this car was written off, I test-drove a number of cars before purchasing the Ford Focus Wagon, which I still have.

So far, I love my Ford. It is also basic – CD player that works, all fan speeds that work, manual windows and doors, but a remote, and my absolutely favourite feature – heated seats.

I will take heated seats over a remote, power any thing, and even the sunroof. On cold days or when you aren’t feeling well, it’s like being wrapped in a blanket right from the dryer.

Getting To Know Strangers

I love personalized license plates.

I should state here that I do not want to one for Christmas. However, I do like the fact that other people seem willing to spend more than $200 on a personal message for their car.

While I see no point in having one’s name on one’s license plate, I do like the plates that are a puzzle. I like following these people until I have figured out what they are trying to say. I am always impressed by people’s cleverness.

My favourite aspect of personalized license plates is feeling of familiarity you get.

For example, on the way down Hwy. 404 this morning, I saw Baby Dol. I haven’t seen Baby Dol since before my maternity leave and as I was passing her, I smiled and said good morning.

Also prior to my maternity leave, I would follow IM Woodsy down Warden Avenue. We obviously had to be at work at the same time and it always pleased me to see him each day. He was like my morning routine. So you can imagine how excited I was when I ended up following IM Woodsy home. We obviously left work at the same time as well. And we obviously both rushed out of the city so we could spend time in the country.

And then there is 8 Legs.

I am not sure what 8 Legs does, but I have also followed him north on the 404. Then, while on maternity leave, I discovered 8 Legs is a neighbour. What a small world.

I also have a neighbour who is a Diamond.

Now Diamond, and other people who have personal license plates, should be a little more cautious. I know who Diamond is. I know his vehicle. I know where he lives. So when you pass me at high speeds or tailgate me, it makes me want to knock on your door and tell you to smarten up. You don’t treat your neighbours that way.